The latest Xander Bogaerts reports suggest yet another team could sign him away from the Boston Red Sox this offseason.
The Boston Red Sox may have missed their chance with free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts. One of the league’s most desirable players now available to throw money at and become a part of their organization, an unexpected contender has entered the fray.
As Mike Luciano of Friars on Base has covered, the San Diego Padres are potentially looking to add a shortstop. They like Bogaerts. We should fully expect them to invest in their 2023 chances.
More Xander Bogaerts suitors is bad news for the Red Sox chances of keeping him
There might not be much more the Red Sox can offer Xander Bogaerts other than a legacy status as someone who spent his whole career in Boston. In MLB’s free agency era, it doesn’t seem to be a major factor for most players. Otherwise, Aaron Judge would already be back with the New York Yankees.
The Padres are certainly in win-now mode. They walked into the postseason with a cane then tumbled forward and landed on their two feet much like Willy Wonka’s introduction to the world back in 1971. They beat the New York Mets then took care of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Only the Philadelphia Phillies, on their own march toward destiny, found a way to stop them.
The idea of the Padres signing Bogaerts away from the Red Sox creates two major questions for both organizations. The answer for the Red Sox as to who replaces him is easy. That’s Trevor Story. Over in San Diego, they already have shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. signed long-term. When he returns from suspension, what happens?
An idea previously discussed is to move Tatis Jr. to another position. First base is a possibility. The outfield is also another place to put him. It’s a problem to worry about only when it becomes an issue.
For the Padres, the important thing would be to load up on as much talent as they can. Keeping this as part of their mission statement could involve taking away a core member of the Red Sox.
It’s not stealing, though. The Red Sox knew this was coming. They had every chance to rework a deal. Now available to see what’s on the other side of the Big Green Monster, Xannder Bogaerts could be San Diego-bound.